Norah comes away with eight Grammys

Norah Jones, a 23-year-old singer-songwriter, has dominated the 45th Grammy Awards ceremony with her debut album Come Away With Me winning eight awards.

Jones, the daughter of Indian musician Ravi Shankar who was virtually unknown a year ago, won awards for record of the year, best pop album and song of the year for Don't Know Why.

She also picked up awards for best newcomer and best female pop artist for her sultry blend of jazz, blues and country music.

Jesse Harris, the co-writer of Don't Know Why, also won award for the song.

Jones, whose album also won two technical awards, said: "I never ever thought that the music I made would become popular music, so this is amazing."

She fended off strong competition from Bruce Springsteen who had been favourite to capture the best album award for his record The Rising inspired by September 11.

But the rocker did win three Grammys including best rock album at the star-studded ceremony at Manhattan's Madison Square Garden.

Meanwhile, the British band Coldplay won two awards. The group became the first band to win the best alternative album category for two years running, and beat off U2 to be named the top rock performers.

Frontman Chris Martin - who last week denied reports he has split from actress Gwyneth Paltrow - also gave a stirring rendition of hit Politik with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

British band Dirty Vegas, who are little known in their home country, picked up the best dance record with Days Gone By.

Steve Smith, the band's singer, said: "When we played a few gigs in Britain before Christmas people kept coming up to us and saying, 'I thought you were American'. Well we're not, we're English."

Eminem won two awards, including best rap album, the third time he has won in the category.

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel opened the ceremony with a rendition of their Vietnam war era ballad, The Sound of Silence.

It was the first time the pair had played together in a decade. They were presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Justin Timberlake arrived at the ceremony with Kylie Minogue, but the former Nsync star was denied a chance to repeat his bottom-grasping antics that shocked audiences at the Brits last week.

"Can I grab your arse again?" he asked the Princess of Pop as they presented an award together. Kylie briefly looked tempted before squealing "No!"

There were also more sombre moments as rock and pop stars were remembered.

Adam Gibb, the son of Maurice Gibb, accepted a special award for the Bee Gees on behalf of his father who died last month.

Springsteen and Elvis Costello joined in a passionate rendition of The Clash classic London Calling in memory of guitarist Joe Strummer who died in December.

The Clash also won the award for best long term music video for Westway To The World, ahead of Robbie Williams's Royal Albert Hall Show.